Dubuque celebrates 2013 All America City Award, says "We are a Ripple"

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Dubuque leaders hope to continue the ripples of positive change after being named a 2013 All America City.

That's what they said at a breakfast Thursday morning in Dubuque, where they invited the public to celebrate the city's award.

The National Civic League handed out the high honor last month to just 10 communities nationwide.

The 2013 All America City Award marks the third time in six years Dubuque has won the honor. It's considered one of the highest awards a community can receive, and leaders at the breakfast said it's an honor every citizen in Dubuque can share.

Some 150 people gathered at the Grand River Center for Thursday's ceremony. It kicked off with a video of the Dubuque delegation's presentation to the National Civic League panel, which picked the 10 award-winners from 20 finalist communities. That was last month in Denver, Colo.

Those in attendance at Thursday morning's breakfast heard from Dubuque mayor Roy Buol, among other leaders. The city's major theme at the Denver presentation was - and continues, now, to be - "We are a ripple."

As Dubuque's assistant city manager Cindy Steinhauser explains it, that means everybody has an impact on Dubuque.

"The story is, the power of the citizens of Dubuque," she said. "They come together time and time again, over challenges and opportunities - they seize them, and they really embrace them, and we're seeing that happen in the transformation of our community."

In its application for the award and at the ceremony Thursday, city leaders highlighted Dubuque's contributions to veterans. They cited the Veterans Freedom Center, a grassroots, non-profit organization and place where veterans of any war can come and find community, with no pressures or strings attached. They also mentioned one Dubuque man, the late Andrew Connolly, who helped pass legislation making accessible housing more affordable for veterans with disabilities before dying of military service-related cancer.

The city also touted the sustainable redevelopment going on in Dubuque's Historic Millwork District, among other achievements.

To watch the entire Dubuque delegation's theatrical presentation to the National Civic League in Denver, click here.